Hyderabad: A severe shortage of railway crew led to the cancellation of 27 passenger trains across the South Central Railway (SCR) zone in 2025, according to data obtained through a Right to Information (RTI) request filed by the Times of India. The records also revealed that 297 trains were cancelled due to a shortage of rakes (train coaches). Overall, the zone witnessed more than 6,000 train cancellations during the year for various reasons.
Crew Shortage Crisis
Confirming the seriousness of the issue, railway officials told TOI that the SCR zone is currently facing an approximate 25% shortage of loco pilots. This shortfall has forced existing personnel to work extended shifts, often stretching beyond 12 hours. The shortage becomes acute whenever batches of loco pilots are deputed for mandatory training programmes or departmental examinations conducted for loco inspector posts, said a loco pilot posted at Kacheguda railway station.
Impact on Staff Welfare
Another senior loco pilot highlighted the strain: "Railway rules require a 30% reserve strength of loco pilots. Instead, we are functioning with a shortage, which has resulted in inadequate rest periods and increased stress among staff." Several loco pilots claimed that while the railways continue to introduce new trains, staffing levels have failed to keep pace. Data shows that SCR has introduced nearly 100 trains since 2021.
Personnel Requirements
Sources said the zone currently has around 4,000 loco pilots and assistant loco pilots (ALPs), but requires more than 1,000 additional personnel to meet operational demands. Unlike ALPs, loco pilots are generally not recruited directly through the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB). ALPs are promoted to loco pilot positions through a structured, experience-based progression system that usually takes several years.
Reduction in Cancellations
Railway officials, however, said train cancellations had reduced by more than half compared to 2024. "The majority of cancellations were caused by maintenance blocks and ongoing construction activities across the network," said a senior official from SCR's traffic wing. Officials added that fresh recruitment drives would soon be undertaken to ease the crisis. The RRB recently issued a notification for more than 11,000 assistant loco pilot posts nationwide, of which SCR is expected to receive nearly 1,500 positions.
Union Perspectives
According to mazdoor unions, the recruitment drive is expected to strengthen operations as existing ALPs become eligible for promotion to loco pilot posts. However, union representatives said it could take more than a year before the newly recruited staff are fully deployed.
"Railway rules stipulate that loco pilots should not operate trains continuously for more than 10 hours. However, due to staff shortages, some loco pilots are currently working 13 to 14 hours, though they are being compensated through overtime payments," said Ch Sankara Rao, general secretary of the SCR Mazdoor Union.
The crisis underscores the need for urgent action to address the crew deficit and ensure safe and efficient train operations across the zone.
